Easier Schedule Leaves Golden Knights Asking Questions

For The Third Week In A Row, Ucf Takes To The Road With The High Expectations Of Victory, This Time Against Toledo.

October 3, 1998|By Jerry Greene, of The Sentinel Staff

TOLEDO, Ohio - Just how good are the Golden Knights?

Like knights of another age, the Central Florida football team continues on its quest for glory and self-discovery tonight, attempting to vanquish the next foe in its path.

The Knights (3-1) take on Toledo (2-2) in another sortie into the Mid-American Conference. Last week UCF edged nearby Bowling Green, 38-31, despite trailing by 10 after one half.

UCF Coach Mike Kruczek praised his players for their poise and their second-half effort. But was anyone else impressed? Las Vegas had decreed that the Knights were 20-point favorites.

``The Vegas line was ludicrous,'' Kruczek said. ``Then sports writers and normal fans see that and say, `You ought to kill them.' ''

Should the Knights have killed the Falcons?

Bowling Green Coach Gary Blackney said a curious thing after the game: ``I still don't know what to think of Central Florida.''

The 1997 Knights were easier to understand because their schedule was easier to understand.

They were good enough to play hard against some of the best teams in the country at the start but not quite good enough (or lucky enough) to win one of those games. But they were also good enough to beat some lesser teams at the end, such as Toledo, 34-17, in the Knights' last game.

Last year, a 5-6 season was a positive thing. This year, anything less than 8-3 may feel like a disappointment.

The Knights raised the bar themselves. And 1997 was one of the ``hard'' years put together by UCF Athletic Director Steve Sloan for the double purpose of building recognition and boosting the budget with road-game guarantees against major competition.

This is what Sloan calls a ``medium'' year. But as it's turning out, it's a roller-coaster type of season with more valleys than peaks - which means fewer chances to make an immediate impression.

The season has started up (Louisiana Tech), down (I-AA Eastern Illinois), up (Purdue), down (Bowling Green) and, whether everyone realizes it or not, up (Toledo).

Meanwhile, what kind of opponent are the Knights for Toledo, which has played against Ohio State (and lost, 49-0)? Are the Rockets gearing up to take on quarterback Daunte Culpepper and his supporting cast, the way UCF has been described by some national critics?

Think again.

``Everybody says all they've got is a great quarterback, who runs around making plays,'' Toledo Coach Gary Pinkel said. ``That is not the case.

``He's surrounded by good running backs, good receivers and a huge offensive line.

``And their defense has good speed.''

No doubt the Rockets respect the Knights, especially after last year's beating.

``They're out for revenge,'' UCF receiver Siaha Burley said of the Rockets. ``They're looking forward to getting a shot at us again.''

So where are the Knights right now? Their increasing prestige took a hit when they lost to Purdue, 35-7, two weeks ago on national television. But this odd schedule gives them the chance to still turn 1998 into a special year.

After Toledo, the rest of the season appears much easier than it did a month ago.

Except for when the Knights travel to Auburn, they likely will be favored in every game - and often heavily favored.

Next week's opponent, Northern Illinois, has the nation's longest I-A losing streak at 21. If Northern Illinois is the worst I-A team in the nation, winless Southwestern Louisiana and Ball State are in that unfortunate hunt, too.

So, with this schedule, are the Knights good enough to finish 10-1 or at least 9-2? Are they bowl material?

Those questions put enormous importance on tonight's clash with the Rockets. Vegas cautiously has declared the Knights as 31/2-point favorites in their third consecutive weekend on the road.

``Yeah, this is massive,'' Kruczek said.

``If things work out the way I hope, we're right on track to where we need to be.''

On the quest for glory and self-discovery. Just how good are the 1998 Golden Knights?